New Delhi, Dec 23: As many as 8,973 criminal cases, in which senior citizens were victims, have been registered in the country till October this year and cheating and robbery accounted for maximum numbers of cases, Lok Sabha was informed today.

The maximum number of 2,257 cases was registered in Maharashtra, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 1,856 and Madhya Pradesh with 1,205 cases involving senior citizens as victims.

Surprisingly, Uttar Pradesh, the largest state where law and order situation has often been criticised, has only 142 such cases, Minister of State for Home Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary said in a statement citing provisional figures mostly till October.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told Lok Sabha that they have issued two advisories to states, asking them to maintain a data of all senior citizens, set-up a helpline and take quick action in case of any crime.